Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Academic Fellows Program (YSEALI AFP) 2025

The application deadline is October 3, 2024, at 11:59 Mountain Daylight Time.

Brief introduction

The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Academic Fellows Program (YSEALI AFP) is a U.S. Department of State-sponsored program with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana. YSEALI AFP seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the U.S. and Southeast Asia, and foster a community of leaders who work across borders to solve shared issues.

YSEALI AFP accomplishes these objectives by bringing undergraduate or recent graduates aged 18-25 from 11 countries in Southeast Asia to the U.S. for a fully funded, five-week exchange at a U.S. university or college. Each program includes an academic residency, community service activities, an educational study tour, a closing workshop, and a Reciprocal Exchange component that sends Americans to Southeast Asia. YSEALI Academic Fellows can study one of four YSEALI themes at 12 host institutions across the country.

Eligibility requirements for applicants:

• Between the ages of 18 and 25 by the application deadline, although exceptional applicants over 25 may be considered if they meet all other eligibility requirements;
• A citizen of one of the following countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam;
• A resident of one of the following countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam;
• A full-time or part-time undergraduate student from college, university, or other institutions of higher learning; or have graduated with their undergraduate degree in the past four years;
• Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English;
• Not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States;
• Not employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. embassy or consulate, USAID, or other U.S. Government entity);
• Not alumni of the YSEALI Academic Fellows Program; and
• Eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa.
  • Visa fees are paid by the program; there is no cost to those selected as Fellows.
    

Successful applicants should:

• Demonstrate interest, knowledge, or professional experience in Civic Engagement; Sustainability and Environment; Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Economic Empowerment; or Society and Governance.
• Demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university, place of work, and/or community;
• Demonstrate a commitment or interest in community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
• Indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States and Southeast Asia as a region;
• Be willing to actively participate in an intensive academic program, community service, and study tour;
• Have a commitment to return to their home country to apply leadership skills and training to benefit their community, country, or the region of Southeast Asia; and
• Have little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States.

Application Information

You will need the following information as part of the application process. A PDF of the full application can be found here and is provided only for your preview of the content of the application. Do not complete this PDF, as only applications submitted on the official platform will be considered. We do not accept emailed or paper applications.

• Confirm you meet program eligibility requirements.
• Basic personal information such as birth date, country of citizenship, address, etc.
• Medical, physical, dietary, or other personal considerations.
• Educational and professional background.
• English language ability.
• Previous international experience.
• Ranking of program themes.
• Program date preference.
• Two short essay questions.